We always like to look into health claims made online. Much of the health advice on TikTok is wrong, if not downright dangerous. But some of it is helpful. On Monday, we covered excellent advice about ways to prevent overeating during the holidays. Not everything shared on the app is absurd, but a lot of it is. We examine the hot topics to help you detangle fact from fiction.
The latest hot trend from Instagram is a tea made with lemon, bay leaves and turmeric powder. It is strained and finished with honey. According to the video, the drink will aid blood sugar levels. However, at first glance, we have questions. Honey is a form of sugar, and adding it to any drink doesn’t seem logical when aiming to support healthy blood sugar.
In a 2009 study, bay leaves improved blood sugar levels in people with blood sugar concerns. They may also improve the GI tract. However, they boost appetite, so tea made from the leaves may not be suitable for everyone.
Turmeric may help blood sugar because it contains curcumin. In a 2021 study, curcumin decreased blood sugar levels. However, the researchers believed more studies were needed to confirm their findings. In addition to its impact on blood sugar, turmeric has antioxidants and may boost liver health. However, large doses may cause indigestion, nausea and diarrhea.
Lemon juice has no proven impact on blood sugar. Lemons are rich in fiber and vitamin C but low in sugar. However, the juice lacks fiber and is viewed as a neutral food. Polyphenols in the juice may boost insulin sensitivity, but not enough research has been done on the fruit.
The honey in this drink cannot benefit blood sugar and will only boost it. The lemon juice won’t sway the needle either way. The turmeric and the bay leaves may help manage blood sugar and can be part of a blood sugar-friendly diet. However, when taken all together as a drink, this is not a magical elixir like the video claims. By removing the honey, you will have a drink that you may enjoy that won’t harm your blood sugar. But it’s essential not to expect miraculous results from it.
